There is generally professional protocol for this. In my profession and in my state, I would have to withdraw my professional services with one or both of them and depending on my job I would be obligated to report the abuser.

@AB Bride: If both victims went to the psychologist separately and after treating them for several months figured it out, I think they COULD continue to treat both people if it was in their best interest.

If it was possible to refer one of them to a new therapist without disrupting their treatment, I think this would be the BEST course of action, however, the break in treatment may be very detrimental to both parties.

In the case of this article, I think they should have sent the student elsewhere. I didn’t finisht he whole article, but if the therapist didn’t report the abuse immediately, they should be punished as that is required by law.

In my state we would not be able to have the same psychologist/therapist treating the abuser and victim if we were aware that that was the case. It is a HUGE conflict of interest. Also, in my state counselors are mandated reporters so the abuse would need to be reported in the victim was under 18 (or over a certain age for elder abuse).

I know as a nurse we have a duty to report suspected abuse, I am sure for psychologists have a similar duty. I also believe the psychcologst should have not counseled them both. Mostly i want to know why this is just coming out if it happend in 2004 and the abuser was paying for the victim’s sessions with their personal prof too??.